South Sudan at the verge of fully controlling her airspace

Since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, South Sudan has faced major limitations in managing her own airspace

By Emmanuel Mandella

In a move set to scale South Sudan’s aviation sovereignty, the government on Saturday announced that they were at the verge of taking full control of the airspace, 14 years after the country’s independence from Sudan.

The breakthrough comes following a visit by the National Transport Minister Dr. Lam Akol Ajawil alongside a delegation to inspect the country’s new Air Traffic Management (ATM) System, a state-of-the-art facility built with support from China Harbor Engineering Company. The system will help transition aviation control from Sudan fully to South Sudan, after final clearance from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

“For the first time, our skies will truly be ours. This is not just a technical milestone but it’s a national achievement that speaks to our sovereignty, our security, and our economic future,” declared Dr. Lam Akol.

Since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, South Sudan has faced major limitations in managing its own airspace, due to lack of equipment, trained personnel, and operational infrastructure. The country had to leave air traffic control in the hands of Sudan, rendering the country flight fees and missing out on strategic geopolitical leverage.

Flights entering or crossing South Sudan’s territory have, for close to a decade (since 2016), paid fees to Khartoum, with little to no direct revenue returning to Juba. The absence of an independent system also left the nation vulnerable to aviation security risks and dependent on external coordination.

However, speaking to the media, the current Undersecretary in the Ministry of Transport Mr. Caesar Oliha Marko, who was appointed in May this year (2025), replacing Mary Akech, stated that:

“We’ve waited too long to reclaim this space; airspace is a symbol of sovereignty. What happens above our heads should be controlled by us,” he said.

As a new era that will set benefits of full airspace control, with the ATM system nearing completion, South Sudan stands ready to reap the economic and strategic rewards. The move will enable the country to generate direct revenue from flight charges, a significant source of income for many nations.

“We’re at a position of major continental and international air routes and this will become a new revenue stream, strengthen our civil aviation sector, and create jobs for our citizens,” Oliha added.

Building capacity in airspace management

So far, 24 South Sudanese air traffic controllers have been trained in China, with more cohorts expected to follow in the coming months. The plan is to build a homegrown, skilled aviation workforce capable of maintaining and advancing the system.

In the long term, this initiative is expected to boost investor confidence, promote regional connectivity, and contribute to the overall modernization of South Sudan’s air infrastructure.

So, what’s next for South Sudan’s skies?

According to the aviation authority, once ICAO gives the final green light, airspace operations will be handed over to the Civil Aviation Authority, in coordination with Chinese engineers.

The next steps will include, establishing a fully autonomous flight control tower, launching national aviation training academies and digitizing air traffic communication and surveillance.

Undersecretary Oliha also revealed that plans are underway to integrate the system into regional aviation networks, making South Sudan a competitive hub in East and Central Africa.

 “We will open our skies to economic opportunity, regional influence, and national pride,” he emphasized.

As the countdown to full airspace control nears, South Sudan is set to close a chapter of dependency and open a new era of sovereignty, safety, and sustainable growth for the future of the country.

“We will open our skies to economic opportunity, regional influence, and national pride,” Undersecretary in the Ministry of Transport Mr. Caesar Oliha Marko, said.